Question

When you drive a car around a curve that is not banked, what force provides the centripetal acceleration? HINT: Think about turning a curve on ice. If the curve is banked, what additional force plays a role in providing the centripetal force? Draw force diagrams to clarify your thinking.

Answer 1

The centripetal force is provided by the friction between the tyres and the ground. That's why a car will slip on ice, because there is less friction.

Answer 2

Step-by-step explanation:

When you drive a car around a curve that is not banked, the frictional force between the tyres of the car and the road provides the centripetal acceleration and the centripetal force. Figure A shows the force acting on the object in unbanked road.

Figure B shows the banked curve. In this type of curve, the horizontal component of the normal force is balanced by the centripetal force as well as centripetal acceleration.